A pumping device for pumping fish

Abstract

It is described a pumping device (10) for pumping of fish and / or other marine organisms in a volume of water, which pumping device (10) comprises a first rotor housing (27), a pump channel (12) comprising a pump channel section (18) having a top wall (22) and a bottom wall (23), and a first rotor unit (41) arranged in the first rotor housing (27) and is rotatably about a first rotational axis in relation to the pump channel (12) and the first rotor housing (27). The first rotor unit (41) is arranged adjacent the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18), and the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) is planar. Further, the top wall (22) lies in a plane arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first rotor unit (41), and the pump channel section (18) has a plurality of thorough water through flow openings (24) arranged in the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) such that water can flow between the pump channel section (18) and the first rotor housing (27).

Description

[0001] TITLE: A PUMPING DEVICE FOR PUMPING FISH

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a pumping device for transport of fish and / or marine organisms which can be alive and / or dead.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Transporting fish between several different fish handling operations, that may be between a fish cage and a well boat, from a well boat to a waiting cage, from a waiting cage or a well boat to a slaughterhouse etc. There are strict requirements to the fish welfare of live fish at both farming, fishing, towing, transport and storage. Equipment, e.g. fish pumps, should be formed to avoid damage and thus ensure good fish health and low mortality. This contributes to increased quality of the slaughtered fish. The fish farming and fishing industry is economically strong and willing to pay. Therefore, a lot of research and development is taking place in the product the industry uses. Biomass in the industry constantly increases and has increased significantly since the start of farming in the 1970s. Previously, it was mostly when releasing smolt and when slaughtering that the biomass had to be pumped.

[0006] Salmon lice have gradually become a significant problem, and a large part of the lice treatment is now carried out onboard well boats / barges where the pumping of the fish for treatment has increased dramatically. This means that the fish is being pumped much more often than before. Based on the desire for minimal damage, both in terms of fish welfare and economy and quality of the end product, there has been a great deal of investment in this area. This has been an important contribution to the suppliers having put in considerable innovation work to come up with the best solutions. For dead slaughter fish, there is also a wish for gentle treatment of the fish during pumping to avoid damage to the fish.

[0007] Various methods for pumping fish exist today. With increasing demands for efficiency, large well boats and greater lifting height, and not least increasing focus on fish welfare, the fishing industry is forced to constantly find better and more gentle solutions for handling fish. This is to maintain the best possible quality of the fish meat and at the same time protect live fish as best as possible. Vacuum pumping is a pumping system that provides satisfactory lifting height. It works so that a pump draws a vacuum into a tank where the inlet is laid down in, for example, a fish cage. The vacuum that is created sucks water and fish into the tank. When the tank is full, the pump is stopped and a check valve in the inlet to the tank is closed and then the pump starts to press water into the tank's inlet where the water and fish in the tank are pressed further out of the tank and up to, for example, a factory. The main problems associated with this method are that fish and water are pumped into an empty tank with the subsequent potential for damage to the fish. Between the changes, the pumping process stops so that fish that were just in front of the inlet to the fish cage move away, and thus this, together with the changeover time itself, will increase the period of time during which fish are not pumped. The check valves have a great potential for damage by which the fish skin is being scraped against them when closing or the fish is getting pinched by the valves.

[0008] Another system is a pump that sucks fish and water into the pump, where the water together with the fish passes through the pump’s impeller. The impeller is designed so that the fish are treated in the best possible and gentle way, and thus is the rotational velocity also strongly limited. Here too, it is also a risk that the fish can get pinched, then often in connection with the rotating impeller. Furthermore, a pumping system is driven by an ejector system. The water being pumped can also be used as a driving fluid. This means that water is sucked up by an external pump pumping this water back into the system through one or more nozzle system in order to utilize the ejector effect to pump fish. The challenges are that the pump sucks from the same closed system as the ejector, and thus will the suction largely cancel out the ejector effect. The ejector pumps often provide a limited lifting height of up to 3 meters. These ejector systems need an own centrifugal pump or a displacement pump.

[0009] NO 337898 B1 shows a device for pumping particles in liquid, especially live fish in water, in which a chamber takes up liquid and particles from a liquid volume through a closed channel, as the chamber is connected to the suction side of the ejector and pump to create an under pressure in the chamber. At the same time, gas supplied from the compressor and into the liquid column in the chamber contributes to further acceleration of the liquid flow through the chamber. The ejector is driven by liquid flow out of the pump or by gas from the compressor. The closed channel is connected to a check valve, which prevents liquid and particles from returning to the liquid volume. Liquid and particles are led out of the chamber and through the ejector, and from there into the closed channel and further to the receiving unit.

[0010] WO1 980 / 00471 describes a pump for pumping large solid particles by means of a rotary pump with an impeller comprising of a flat disc together with a plurality of other discs standing closely in pairs at a distance from the flat disc of the impeller which forms the pump rotor. Due to friction of the fluid on the surface of the discs during rotation of the rotor, a centrifugal force arises that drives the fluid outwards towards the periphery of the discs.

[0011] A fish pump is also known from Norwegian patent application number 20181200.

[0012] There are various challenges associated with pumping fish and / or marine organisms. The fish and / or marine organisms should preferably be transported through the system as quickly, but at the same time as gently as possible. The challenges in existing pumps are often too high a pump pressure, sharp edges and transitions in pipes, areas where the fish are not surrounded by water, and so on. A simple and compact design that is cheap to produce and easy to maintain is preferable. There is therefore a need for a pumping device that can solve many of the challenges faced today, without compromising the welfare of live fish and marine organisms and the quality of dead fish and marine organisms.

[0013] Objects of the present invention

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device for transporting fish and / or marine organisms in a gentle manner. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is easy to produce and easy to maintain.

[0015] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is inexpensive to produce and maintain.

[0016] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that is scalable in relation to the desired lifting height and desired size of the fish and / or marine organisms to be pumped.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping device that generally safeguards fish welfare during the pumping process.

[0018] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that produces less turbulence during use.

[0019] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a pumping device that has an easier start-up.

[0020] These objects are achieved by a pumping device as defined in claim 1. Further embodiments of the pumping device are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0021] Summary of the invention

[0022] In the further description of the invention, the following terms will be understood as: The term "pumping device" is used to describe a device to transport fluid and fish and / or marine organisms from one place to another.

[0023] The term "water" is the medium in which the fish and / or marine organisms are to be pumped are located, and can be water or seawater (i.e. salt water).

[0024] The term fish and / or marine organisms preferably includes fish, live or dead, but is not limited to only fish, it can also include other relevant live or dead creatures such as shrimps, fry and smolt or other creatures that are in the sea (in a pond), in a storage tank in water or on a vessel or on land, and the like, and that are to be transported (i.e. pumped) from one location to another.

[0025] The present invention is a pumping device that differs significantly from most other pumps for pumping fish. It comprises a pump channel without any moving parts. The pump channel is equipped with thorough water flow through openings in a top wall and possibly in a bottom wall of the fish channel if the pumping device is arranged with two rotor units.

[0026] The top wall and possibly the bottom wall preferably have a certain ratio between the diameter of holes and thickness of plate so that the water flow does not go straight up and down, but that the water can pass at the most oblique angle possible when the water passes through the holes.

[0027] It may be advantageous to place a row of spacer elements in the direction of the water inside the fish channel that are attached to the perforated plates, preferably in the area between the holes so that there is a certain distance between these holes and the fish. The spacer elements should preferably be arched so that they can be mounted in one or more imaginary, curved lines, between curved rows of water flow through openings, in the direction of the water flow through the pump channel, without covering the water flow through openings. This prevents fish from rubbing themselves against these holes, which may have sharp edges and act as a rasp on fish and marine organisms, thereby damaging the fish and marine organisms being pumped.

[0028] At least on the upper side of the top plate, and preferably also on the underside of the bottom plate of the pump channel, a rotor is preferably arranged that will move the water. Although the pumping device can be arranged with only one rotor unit, it is preferably arranged with a total of two rotors. The advantage of using two rotor units is that these appear to have a very positive effect on turbulence in the water in the pump channel. The two rotor units probably cancel much of the turbulence that is common to all known pumps that are commonly used today that are to pump water in an open fish channel. These are in most cases arranged with a rotor that moves the water.

[0029] Another advantage of the present pumping device is that the direction of rotation of the rotor unit or rotor units indicates where the outlet and inlet are, since the present pumping device works equally well in both directions, i.e. by rotating the rotor unit or rotor units in both directions. One only changes which is the inlet and outlet.

[0030] However, it may be appropriate to define the inlet / outlet before the pumping device is put into use due to other conditions, such as a shut-off valve, etc.

[0031] The rotor blades may be open. They may be straight or inclined. The rotor blades may also be arranged fixedly or adjustable. The rotor unit or rotor units may also be flat or nearly flat if one needs high revolution and low force on the water, versus larger, and marked rotor blades for lower rotational speed and greater force. Furthermore, the rotor units may also be closed, i.e. flat on the top side, with rotor blades on the side facing the pump channel.

[0032] The pump is scalable and will function in all sizes as all parts of the pumping device can be increased proportionally.

[0033] For driving the rotor unit or rotor units, a shaft, or possibly two drive shafts, is arranged in the center of the pumping device, one for each rotor unit if the pumping device is arranged with two rotor units. The drive shaft, or drive shafts, can be driven by an electric motor or hydraulic motor. There is preferably a common shaft for both rotor units so that they have the same speed. As indicated above, one can also have two separate drive shafts, i.e. two drive shafts that are not thorough so that the two rotor units can be driven by two separate motors. Thus, the two rotor units can be driven at two different speeds, and possibly also in opposite directions of rotation. Furthermore, if necessary, a bearing / roller bearing can be arranged at the outer edge of the rotor unit or rotor units that supports and holds it or them in place to prevent unwanted vibrations from being created in the pumping device.

[0034] The pump can advantageously be primed prior to starting to pump fish and / or marine organisms. There should therefore be a shut-off valve on the side of the pumping device's pump channel that is determined as the outlet in order to be able to close this before use, and thereby to vacuum so that the water to be pumped from fills the pump prior to start.

[0035] The pump is very easy to build in terms of production since the pump house itself can comprise two adapted plates that can be rolled with the desired radius, and these two plates can, together with two perforated plates, form a fish channel.

[0036] Therefore, a pumping device is provided for pumping fish and / or other marine organisms located in a body of water, wherein the pumping device comprises a first rotor housing, a pump channel comprising a pump channel section having a top wall and a bottom wall, and a first rotor unit arranged in the first rotor housing and rotatable about a first rotational axis relative to the pump channel and the first rotor housing. The first rotor unit is arranged adjacent the top wall of the pump channel section.

[0037] The top wall of the pump channel section is planar, and the top wall lies in a plane arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first rotor unit. The pump channel section has a plurality of thorough water through flow openings arranged in the top wall of the pump channel so that water can flow between the pump channel section and the first rotor housing.

[0038] The first rotor unit is adjacent to the top wall of the pump channel section with the thorough water through flow openings so that the first rotor can provide water flow through the water through flow openings when the pump unit is in operation and the first rotor unit rotates. The top wall is preferably planar / flat, but the top wall can be thought to have another shape, for example arcuate in such a way that the top wall can be formed by bending a tube so that it has an arcuate shape and dividing the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

[0039] The first rotor unit is preferably arranged with a plurality of first rotor blades having a fixed blade angle. The rotor blades can, for example, be arranged parallel to the axial direction of the pumping device.

[0040] The first rotor unit may alternatively be provided with rotor blades having an adjustable blade angle.

[0041] The top wall of the pump channel section is preferably provided with a plurality of water through flow openings, i.e. more than one water through flow opening.

[0042] The top wall of the pump channel section preferably comprises one or more spacer elements that prevent fish and / or marine organisms pumped through the pump channel from coming into contact with the water though openings of the top wall.

[0043] The top wall of the pump channel section preferably forms part of the first rotor housing.

[0044] The pumping device may also comprise a second rotor unit arranged in a second rotor housing and rotatable about a second rotational axis relative to the pump channel and the second rotor housing, wherein the second rotor unit is arranged adjacent to the bottom wall of the pump channel section, and wherein the bottom wall of the pump channel section is planar and the bottom wall lies in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second rotor unit. The pump channel section preferably further has a plurality of thorough water through flow openings arranged in the bottom wall of the pump channel so that water can flow between the pump channel section and the second rotor housing. The second rotor unit is adjacent to the bottom wall of the pump channel section with the thorough water through flow openings so that the second rotor can provide water flow through the water through flow openings when the pump unit is in operation and the second rotor unit is rotating.

[0045] The bottom wall is preferably planar / flat, but the bottom wall can be thought to have a different shape, for example arcuate in such a way that the bottom wall can be formed by bending a tube so that it has an arcuate shape and dividing the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

[0046] The second rotor unit is preferably equipped with a plurality of other rotor blades having a fixed blade angle. The rotor blades can, for example, be arranged parallel to the axial direction of the pumping device.

[0047] The second rotor unit can alternatively be equipped with a plurality of rotor blades having an adjustable blade angle.

[0048] The bottom wall of the pump channel section is preferably arranged with a plurality of water through flow openings, i.e. more than one water through flow opening.

[0049] The bottom wall of the pump channel section preferably comprises one or more spacer elements that prevent fish and / or marine organisms pumped through the pump channel from coming into contact with the water through flow openings of the bottom wall.

[0050] The bottom wall of the pump channel section preferably forms part of the second rotor housing.

[0051] The pump channel preferably comprises an inlet section, an outlet section and a pump channel section arranged between the inlet section and the outlet section, the pump channel section being arranged with the thorough water through flow openings.

[0052] The pump channel may be arcuate in the flow direction of water and fish and / or marine organisms through the pump channel section. For example, the pump channel section may be semicircular. Furthermore, the entire pump channel may be substantially U-shaped when viewed in a cross-section through the pump channel perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first rotor unit.

[0053] The first rotational axis of the first drive shaft and the second rotational axis of the second drive shaft may be parallel.

[0054] The first rotor unit and the second rotor unit may be concentric. That is, the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are the same axis - the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are the extension of each other.

[0055] The first rotor unit and the second rotor unit are preferably mounted on a single through drive shaft. The drive shaft will in that case extend through the pump and preferably be supported in a first bearing arrangement and a second bearing arrangement, where the first bearing arrangement is mounted on a first cover and the first bearing arrangement is mounted on a second cover.

[0056] The top wall and bottom wall of the pump channel section are both preferably planar and the top wall and bottom wall lie in respective planes which are preferably substantially parallel.

[0057] The pumping device preferably comprises a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the drive shaft and thereby the first rotor unit and the second rotor unit.

[0058] The pumping device preferably comprises a first cover which is attached to a first rotor housing. The pumping device may also comprise a second cover which is attached to the second rotor housing if the pumping device is provided with two rotor units.

[0059] The first rotor unit may also be mounted on a first drive shaft and the second rotor unit may be mounted on a second drive shaft, where the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are separate shafts.

[0060] The pumping device may then comprise a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the first drive shaft and thus the first rotor unit, and a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the second drive shaft and thus the second rotor unit.

[0061] The first rotor unit, and optionally the second rotor unit if the pumping device comprises two rotor units, may further be supported on respective bearings, for example roller bearings, at the respective diametrical outer edges of the first rotor unit and optionally the second rotor unit.

[0062] The pumping device may further comprise a cylinder element arranged between the drive shaft or drive shafts and the pump channel, which cylinder element rotates together with the first rotor unit and optionally the second rotor unit.

[0063] The pumping device functions particularly well for pumping fish and is preferably a fish pump.

[0064] Description of the figures

[0065] To facilitate the understanding of the invention, a non-limiting example of the invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0066] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention seen in perspective.

[0067] Figure 2 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 1 seen from above. Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 seen from the side towards the inlet and outlet of the inlet section and the outlet section, respectively.

[0068] Figure 4 shows the embodiment of the invention in Figure 1 where the first cover has been removed.

[0069] Figure 5 shows the same illustration as Figures 1 and 4, but where the first rotor unit has also been removed as seen straight down on the top wall of the pump channel section extending around the shaft.

[0070] Figure 6 shows the same illustration as Figures 1 , 4 and 5 where a cross-section perpendicular to the rotational axis A of the drive shaft through the pump channel has been taken. In this figure, spacer elements are also indicated that keep fish and marine organisms that are pumped at a distance from the water through flow openings in the bottom wall shown in the figure.

[0071] Figure 7 illustrates the first rotor unit and the second rotor unit together with a continuous drive shaft and a cylinder element that is concentric with the drive shaft and that rotates together with the drive shaft and the first rotor unit and the second rotor unit.

[0072] Figure 8 shows the same illustration as Figure 1 , but with a cut-out part.

[0073] Figure 9 shows an assembly of the first rotor unit, the second rotor unit, the drive shaft and the cylinder element seen in perspective.

[0074] Figure 10 shows the same assembly as in Figure 9, but with the addition of the pump channel arranged between the first rotor unit and the second rotor unit.

[0075] Figure 11 illustrates the assembly similar to that in Figure 9 where the first rotor housing and the second rotor housing are shown. Figure 12 illustrates a pump channel according to the present invention.

[0076] Figure 13 illustrates the pumping device of Figure 1 with the pump channel highlighted.

[0077] Figure 14 illustrates the pumping device of Figure 1 with the pump channel section highlighted.

[0078] Figure 15 illustrates the pumping device of Figure 1 with the drive shaft highlighted.

[0079] Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0080] Figures 1-15 show an embodiment of a pumping device 10 according to the present invention. The pumping device 10 comprises a pump channel 12 as shown in detail in figure 12, and also clearly shown in figures 4-6, 10 and 13. Through the pump channel 12 fish and / or marine organisms are pumped through, together with a fluid which is preferably fresh water or salt water, when the pumping device 10 is in operation.

[0081] The pump channel 12 comprises a pump channel section 18 which is preferably curved as shown in the figures. The pump channel section 18 preferably comprises an inner side wall 20, an outer side wall 19, a top wall 22 and a bottom wall 23. The top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are preferably planar as indicated in the figures but may also be curved in the radial direction. With a flat top wall 22 and bottom wall 23, production is considerably simplified.

[0082] At one end of the pump channel 12, an inlet section 13 is attached with an inlet 14 where fish and / or marine organisms are sucked into the pump channel 12 when the pumping device 10 is in operation. At the other end of the pump channel 12, an outlet section 15 is attached with an outlet 16 where fish and / or marine organisms exit the pump channel 12 when the pumping device 10 is in operation. The pump channel section 18 preferably has a curved shape as indicated in the figures, and the entire pump channel 12 thus preferably has a general U-shape when viewed from above.

[0083] The top wall 22 is provided with a plurality of thorough water through flow openings 24. The water through flow openings 24 shown in the figures have a substantially circular shape, but they can of course have a different shape, for example elliptical shape, a curved rectangular shape, etc. Through the water through flow openings 24, water can flow between the pump channel section 18 and a first rotor housing 27 arranged on the upper side of the pump channel 12. As shown in Figure 5, the top wall 22 is preferably annular and forms the bottom of the first rotor housing 27 facing the pump channel 12.

[0084] The pumping device 10 preferably comprises two rotor units, a first rotor unit 41 and a second rotor unit 44, but the pumping device 10 may also be provided with only one rotor unit. In that case, the bottom wall 23 will not have any water through flow openings 24 (not shown in the figures). If the pumping device 10 is provided with two rotor units 41 , 44, the bottom wall 23 will also be provided with water through flow openings 24 in the same way as the top wall 22.

[0085] The pumping device 10 shown in the figures is provided with two rotor units 41 , 44 which are arranged in respective rotor housings 27, 34. As mentioned, in this case the bottom wall 23 is preferably provided with water through flow openings 24. These preferably have a substantially circular shape, but they can also have another design, for example an elliptical shape, a curved rectangular shape, etc. Through the water flow through openings 24 in the bottom wall 23, water can flow between the pump channel section 24 and a second rotor housing 34 which is arranged on the underside of the pump channel 12 and in which a second rotor unit 44 is arranged.

[0086] The top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are further preferably provided with one or more spacer elements 25 as indicated in Figure 6. If the water through flow openings 24 in the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are arranged in curved rows next to each other as shown in the figures, the spacer elements 25 can be arranged between the rows of water flow holes 24 as indicated. By arranging the top wall 22 sdfand the bottom wall 22 with spacer elements 25, it will be avoided that fish and marine organisms moving through the pump channel section 18 come into contact with the water through flow openings 24 and get scrubbed or cut as a result of the water through flow openings 24 being sharp.

[0087] The first rotor housing 27 is formed by the top wall 22, which is also partly part of the pump channel section 18, a first side wall 29 with a first flange element 30, and a first cover 55 which is attached to the first flange element 30 with fastening means, for example with screws, bolts or other suitable fasteners at holes 56.

[0088] The second rotor housing 34 is formed by the bottom wall 23, which is also partly part of the pump channel section 18, a second side wall 36 with a second flange element 37, and a second cover 58 which is attached to the second flange element 37 with fastening means, for example with screws, bolts, or other suitable fasteners at holes 59.

[0089] The first rotor unit 41 is arranged with a plurality of first rotor blades 42. The first rotor blades 42 may have fixed position, for example substantially perpendicular on the top wall 22 as indicated on the figures. Alternatively, the first rotor blades 42 may be adjustable such that the angle between the first rotor blades 42 and the top wall can be adjusted to desired angle.

[0090] In a similar way, the second rotor unit 44 is arranged with a plurality of second rotor blades 45. The second rotor bladed 45 can have a fixed position, for example substantially perpendicular on the bottom wall 23 as indicated on the figures. Alternatively, the second rotor blades 45 can be adjustable such that the angle between the second rotor blades 45 and the bottom wall 23 can be adjusted to desired angle.

[0091] The pumping device 10 preferably comprises two rotor units, a first rotor unit 41 and a second rotor unit 44, but the pumping device 10 may also be provided with only one rotor unit. In that case, the bottom wall 23 will not have any water through flow openings 24 (not shown in the figures). If the pumping device 10 is provided with two rotor units 41 , 44, the bottom wall 23 will also be provided with water through flow openings 24 in the same way as the top wall 22.

[0092] The pumping device 10 shown in the figures is provided with two rotor units 41 , 44 which are arranged in respective rotor housings 27, 34. As mentioned, in this case the bottom wall 23 is preferably provided with water through flow openings 24. These preferably have a substantially circular shape, but they can also have another shape, for example an elliptical shape, a curved rectangular shape, etc. Through the water through flow openings 24 in the bottom wall 23, water can flow between the pump channel section 24 and a second rotor housing 34 which is arranged on the underside of the pump channel 12 and in which a second rotor unit 44 is arranged.

[0093] The top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are further preferably provided with one or more spacer elements 25 as indicated in Figure 6. If the water through flow openings 24 in the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 23 are arranged in curved rows next to each other as shown in the figures, the spacer elements 25 can be arranged between the rows of water through holes 24 as indicated. By arranging the top wall 22 and the bottom wall 22 with spacer elements 25, it will be avoided that fish and marine organisms moving through the pump channel section 18 come into contact with the water through flow openings 24 and get scrubbed or cut as a result of the water through flow openings 24 being sharp.

[0094] The first rotor housing 27 is formed by the top wall 22, which is partly also part of the pump channel section 18, a first side wall 29 with a first flange element 30, and a first cover 55 which is attached to the first flange element 30 with fastening means, for example with screws, bolts or other suitable fastening means at holes 56.

[0095] The second rotor housing 34 is formed by the bottom wall 23, which is partly also part of the pump channel section 18, a second side wall 36 with a second flange element 37, and a second cover 58 which is attached to the second flange element 37 by fastening means, for example by screws, bolts or other suitable fastening means at holes 59.

[0096] The first rotor unit 41 is arranged with a plurality of first rotor blades 42. The first rotor blades 42 may have a fixed position, for example substantially perpendicular to the top wall 22 as indicated in the figures. Alternatively, the first rotor blades 42 may be adjustable so that the angle between the first rotor blades 42 and the top wall 22 can be adjusted to a desired angle.

[0097] Similarly, the second rotor unit 44 is provided with a plurality of second rotor blades 45. The second rotor blades 45 may have a fixed position, for example substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 23 as indicated in the figures. Alternatively, the second rotor blades 45 may be adjustable so that the angle between the second rotor blades 45 and the bottom wall 23 can be adjusted to a desired angle.

[0098] The pumping device 10 is further provided with at least one drive shaft 52. The pumping device 10 is preferably provided with a single drive shaft 52 extending through the pumping device 10 centrally as shown in the figures and which is driven by a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, but if the pumping device 10 is provided with two rotor units 41 , 44, the pumping device 10 may be provided with two separate drive shafts 52 (not shown in the figures) which are driven by two separate motors, for example electric motors or hydraulic motors. The drive shaft 52 is preferably supported in suitable bearings 53 as indicated in the figures.

[0099] Radially outside the drive shaft 52, but radially within the pump channel 12, a cylinder element 47 is arranged as indicated in, for example, figures 5 and 6. The cylinder element 47 extends axially through the pumping device 10 and is connected to the drive shaft 52 such that the cylinder element 47 and the drive shaft 52 rotate together when the pumping device 10 is in operation. Furthermore, the first rotor unit 41 is attached to the cylinder element 47 with a suitable fastening means, for example bolts or screws 48 as indicated in Figure 5. When the drive shaft 52 is rotated during operation, the cylinder element 47 and the first rotor unit 41 will thus rotate relative to the pump channel 12 and the first rotor housing 27 which is at rest and thereby water and fish or marine organisms are pumped through the pump channel 12.

[0100] In a similar manner, the second rotor unit 44 is attached to the cylinder element 47 with a suitable fastening means, for example bolts or screws 48 in the same way as the first rotor unit as indicated in Figure 5. When the drive shaft 52 is rotated during operation, the cylinder element 47 and the second rotor unit 44 will thus rotate relative to the pump channel 12 and the second rotor housing 34 which is at rest and thereby water and fish or marine organisms are pumped through the pump channel 12.

[0101] It has been found that using two rotor units 41 , 44 arranged on either side of the pump channel 12, have a very good effect on the water flow through the pump channel 12. This is probably because less turbulence is formed in the pump channel 12 due to the two rotor units 41, 44 being arranged symmetrically about the pump channel, thereby cancelling out turbulence that is formed in the pump channel 12.

[0102] Table 1

Claims

Claims1. A pumping device (10) for pumping of fish or other marine organisms in a volume of water, which pumping device (10) comprises:- a first rotor housing (27),- a pump channel (12) comprising a pump channel section (18) having a top wall (22) and a bottom wall (23),- a first rotor unit (41) is arranged in the first rotor housing (27) and is rotatably about a first rotational axis in relation to the pump channel (12) and the first rotor housing (27), which first rotor unit is arranged adjacent the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18), wherein the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) is planar and the top wall (22) lies in a plane arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis of the first rotor unit (41), and where the pump channel section (18) has a plurality of thorough water through flow openings (24) arranged in the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) such that water can flow between the pump channel section (18) and the first rotor housing (27).

2. The pumping device according to claim 1 , where the first rotor unit (41) is arranged with a plurality of rotor blades (42) having a fixed blade angle.

3. The pumping device according to claim 1 , where the first rotor unit (41) is arranged with rotor blades (42) having an adjustable blade angle.

4. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-3, where the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) is arranged with a plurality of the water through flow openings (24).

5. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-4,where the top wall (22) of the pump channel section (18) comprises one or more spacer elements (25) preventing fish and / or marine organisms pumped through the pump channel (12) from coming into contact with the water though flow openings (24) of the top wall (22).

6. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-5, where the pumping device (10) comprises a first rotor housing (27) where the first rotor unit (41) is arranged, where the top wall (22) of the pump channel sections (18) forms a part of the first rotor housing (27).

7. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-6, where the pumping device (10) also comprises a second rotor unit (44) arranged in a second rotor housing (34) and being rotatably about a second rotational axis in relation to the pump channel (12) and the second rotor unit (34), which second rotor unit (44) being arranged adjacent the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18), where the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) is planar and the bottom wall (23) lies in a plan that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second rotor unit (34), and where the pump channel section (18) further as a plurality of thorough water through flow openings (24) arranged in the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) so that water can flow between the pump channel section (18) and the second rotor housing (34).

8. The pumping device according to claim 6, where the second rotor unit (44) is equipped with a plurality of other rotor blades (45) having a fixed blade angle.

9. The pumping device according to claim 6, where the second rotor unit (44) is equipped with a plurality of rotor blades (45) having an adjustable blade angle.

10. The pumping device according to one of the claims 6-9,where the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) is arranged with a plurality of the water through flow openings (24).11 . The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-10, where the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) comprises one or more spacer elements (25) preventing fish and / or marine organisms pumped through the pump channel (12) from coming into contact with the water through flow openings (24) of the bottom wall (23).

12. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-11 , where the pumping device (10) comprises a second rotor housing (34) where the second rotor unit (44) is arranged, where the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) forms a part of the second rotor housing (34).

13. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-12, where the pump channel (12) comprises an inlet section (13), an outlet section (15) and the pump channel section (18) arranged between the inlet section (13) and the outlet section (15), where the pump channel section (18) is arranged with the thorough water through flow openings (24).

14. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-13, where the pump channel section (18) is arcuate in the through flow direction of water and fish and / or marine organisms pumped through the pump channel (12).

15. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-14, where the first rotational axis of the first drive shaft and the second rotational axis of the second drive shaft is parallel.

16. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-15, where the first rotor unit (41) and the second rotor unit (44) is concentric.

17. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-16,where the first rotor unit (41) and the second rotor unit (44) are mounted on a single thorough drive shaft (52).

18. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-17, where the top wall (22) and the bottom wall (23) of the pump channel section (18) are both planar and where the top wall (22) and the bottom wall (23) lie in respective planes which are substantially parallel.19 The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-18, where the pumping device (10) comprises a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the drive shaft (52) and thereby the first rotor unit (41) and the second rotor unit (44).

20. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-19, where the pumping device (10) comprises a first cover (55) attached to the first rotor housing (27) and where the pumping device (10) comprises a second cover (58) attached to the second rotor housing (34).21 . The pumping device according to any one of the claims 6-20, where the first rotor unit (41) is mounted on a first drive shaft and the second rotor unit (44) is mounted on a second drive shaft, where the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are separate shafts.

22. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-19, where the pumping device (10) comprises a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the first drive shaft and thereby the first rotor unit (41), and a motor, for example an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, which drives the second drive shaft and thereby the second rotor unit (44).

23. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-22,where the first rotor unit (41), and the second rotor unit (44) is further supported on respective bearing units, for example roller bearings, at respective diametrical outer edges of the first rotor unit (41) and the second rotor unit (44).

24. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-23, where the pumping device (10) further comprise a cylinder element (47) arranged between the drive shaft (52) or drive shafts, and the pump channel (12), which cylinder element (47) rotates together with the first rotor unit (41) and optionally the second rotor unit (44).

25. The pumping device according to any one of the claims 1-24, where the pumping device (10) is a fish pump.

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